Soil Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

In recognition of the key role that soils play in supporting ecosystems, promoting agricultural productivity, and contributing to overall environmental health, RAP developed a strategy to support and promote the practice of sustainable soil management in the region. Building on RAP’s priorities, countries priorities and the 2022-2030 Action framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the strategy focuses on:

1.    creating enabling environments to the practice of sustainable soil and land management and the transformation of agrifood systems;
2.    increasing food security and countries’ resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change and market shocks through capacity building on sustainable soil management;
3.    assessing and monitoring the impacts of sustainable soil and land management on soil health and its overarching contribution to One Health; and
4.    boosting partnership and collaboration on sustainable soil and land management.

Reporting Lines

The International Soil Management Specialist reports to the office of the FAO Assistant Director-General for Asia and the Pacific. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision and technical guidance of the Land Management Officer at RAP.

Technical Focus

Supporting the development and implementation of the RAP soil strategy.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Write national policy briefs, aligned with the policy brief series initiated by RAP in 2025, coordinating with national government offices and FAO country offices as needed.
•     Write regional soil reports, including the Regional Report on Soil Governance and the related recommendations to support the development of National Soil Strategies.
•     Lead or contribute to the writing of regional strategies and action plans like the RAP action plan and resource mobilization strategy on peatlands, ensuring coherence with regional and international frameworks and reflecting both country-level and FAO corporate priorities.
•     Contribute to the continuous improvement and regular updating of the Asia-Pacific Field Interventions Impact Reporting and Monitoring (AP-FIRM) Platform, including supporting data collection and entry, assisting data providers with data uploads, and conducting data quality control.
•     Lead or contribute to the development of the AP-FIRM platform Phase II, including qualitative data reporting features and the development of weighted value formulas.
•     Lead or contribute to project design and implementation
•     Lead or contribute to the development of the RAP soil webpage
•     Produce technical content to promote awareness on soil health and FAO work on the topic across the region, including social media content and newsletters for publication on the RAP soil webpage.
•     Produce training materials or review and improve the technical content of existing materials, such as those developed under the Farmer Field Schools, to strengthen soil health capacities across the region.
•     Provide in-person and online training to enhance national and regional capacities in soil health assessment, management, monitoring, and reporting.
•     Organize expert talks, webinars, and knowledge-sharing events on key soil-related topics as required.
•     Represent FAO at national, regional, and international meetings and events, delivering presentations and contributing technical inputs as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree in soil sciences, agriculture, or environmental sciences.
•     At least 1 year for category C and 5 years for category B of relevant professional experience in soil governance, soil health assessment and management, sustainable land management, or related fields, including experience in policy analysis, preparation of technical reports, capacity development, and support to data management and monitoring platforms.
•     Working knowledge of English is required; knowledge of additional FAO languages is considered a strong asset.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement